My boy - a bit of reassurance needed

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moocow

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Made a decision a few weeks ago that he had to go. On the basis that he was just too much horse for me and he scared me. I didn't want to ruin him, get injuryed or get anyone else injured.

I have moved yards and he is a different little horse. Lots of changes made to his routine - diet and turnout etc and he is so much happier now.Jumping his first courses now and really taking everything on well. He is as good as gold. Has the odd young horse moment but he is still a baby.

I am not in a position that I have to sell him, and basically a friend of mine who is a dealer, put someone in contact with me that was interested in buying. I didn't even let them look at him. They were looking for a horse for their son (15) to ride. He wants to be a jockey next year and wants something to compete on this year. I just felt that since my boy is so young, that it wasn't the right home for him. Too much would be asked of him.

Been getting a bit of grief from folk about this. My side of the story is he is my horse, and I will sell to whom i am happy selling him too. i don't want him shiped from yard to yard just cos he is young and just learning. i want him to go to experienced home, learn and do the job they want him to do, and then if they choose to sell him, so be it. I want to give him every chance.

Some of the more experienced of you out there might advise, is this attitude a major no-no in the horsey world?

I haven't advertised him for sale, i have been completely honest with any enquiries so i don't think i am wasting peoples time.

Any views?
 
Nope it isn't a no-no - shame there are not more vendors in the world like you then fewer horses would be passed from pillar to post. You are entitled to sell him to whoever you like.
 
He is your horse and I totally understand you not wanting him to be shuffled from pillar to post if he is not suitable for a buyer.
However I wouldn't write off a potential owner on grounds of their age - there are some tremendous 15 year old riders out there and if they have the help of a trainer/parent experienced with young horses may do an admirable job - better than an awful lot of adults. It just depends on the circumstances really.
 
Thanks Weezy. I made the mistake as a teenager of not paying enough attention to my wonderful pony and came home from school one day to find him sold toa dealer and I have no idea where he went. Tried to trace him but no luck. i Still beat myself up about it so i will never make that mistake again.

Feeding wise, he was taken off hard feed for about a week as he was too heated up by what he was being fed and put on adlib high quality haylage whilst stabled . After a week, hard feed was introduced again as he started back into his schooling and now has cool hard feed, adlib haylage when stabled. He is looking brilliant for the change.

Turnout - he got some!!!!! First yard only gave him 15-20 mins on a walker and ridden 4 times a week for about 20 mins. pretty much stabled 24/7

New yard, rides 3-4 times a week in morning and then turned out for rest of the day big field with other horses. He is getting to be a horse during the day!!! Days he not ridden, he is turned out for the day.

I like to see him happy
 
Well I agree with Weezy. However, now that your boy is in a regime that suits him - you are obviously feeling different about the whole thing. Why not give yourself the summer?
 
It wasnt so much the age of the buyer, it was because I know he was going to train as a jockey once he turned 16 and my boy would have been sold. Also the fact that he wants something to compete now at interschools and by fella is just not ready right now.

Folk were saying that i should not tell them he not ready for competing, let them buy him and discover that for themselves but in my view, that not fair on my poor baby!!!!

He will be going to his first show in about a month or so. I think really he is about 6 months behind what they were looking for. Lovely people just wrong horse or wrong timing which ever way you want to look at it!
 
I don’t understand if he has started going so well, why are you still wanting to sell him?

It sounds like this change has done him the world of good!

And No it’s absolutely fine to want to find the best possible home for your horse! I was lucky in that I was able to be choosy with our I sold Ella to and I found her the perfect home!
 
Stick to your guns - I'll be your horse if you are going to think of my future as hard as you are thinking about your current horse's! Take your time, get help with the riding if you need and don't rush into any hasty decisions. You may regret them and it isn't your future at stake! He's taking no harm and is in the best possible hands at the moment. Yours.
 
yeah, i certainly wont be advertising him. I have some people that would like to see him and I think might be a good home so i will see how that goes but other than that, i suspect he will be staying!!!! The new yard owner is fantastic and he says he is a good little horse - no problems, will make a terrific allrounder. I might regret selling him!!!

He costs a fortune to keep, I have another horse so timewise its a nightmare, but he is kinda turning into a member of the family
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I don't think I will make a hardnosed dealer!!!!!
 
I dont think he will post very well all the way to the UK!

I am considering selling him still cos of my other horse, who is everything I want and I am a student so paying for them is really tough!

I know i am a complete softy but he is such a funny horse!!!!

have piccies but not sure how to post them here. He has a lot of growing to do. He is 16hh now but we looked at him last night and he really has a lot of broadening to do.
 
If he is as genuine and nice as he sounds...then he will sell at an appropriate price so perhaps you can afford to find the 'right' home for him.
When I bought my boy the lady made it quite clear that she had turned people away from even seeing him because he was green and strong so needed an adult handler. She took a risk doing that but I appreciated her honesty in trying to sell what turned out to be quite a difficult horse to the right person that could cope with him.
 
just being nosey now....where have you moved him to? (pm me if you don't want to post)

So glad to hear he's happier in hmself though & BTW I think you're totally right to really vet where he goes
 
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